City's Tax Plan Vexes Homeowners

PHILADELPHIA—A shake-up of the way this city levies property taxes has sparked divided reactions among Philadelphians, as homeowners in recently gentrified neighborhoods fear hefty increases in their bills but other residents—and some owners of commercial buildings—are enjoying the prospect of paying less.

A sharp increase in some home valuations means 29,000 to 36,000 homeowners could see their tax bills rise by more than $1,000...